A Call to Live for Christ

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:24-25)
  Passage: Galatians 2:17-21

        In Matthew 21:28-28-32, Jesus told a parable about a man with two sons. The man told both sons to go and work in the vineyard. The first son said no, but later changed his mind and went. The second son said yes, but then he didn’t go. Jesus asked which son obeyed his father and the obvious answer was the one who did what his father wanted. That parable shows us that God is more interested in obedience in your life than He is in your affirmation with your lips.
       After the angel told Joseph how the baby inside Mary had been conceived through the Holy Spirit, he told Joseph that God wanted him to follow through with the marriage and be the earthly father of the Messiah. That required a commitment of life from Joseph, but the key statement we read in the text is “he did what the angel had commanded him.” Joseph lived for Christ. He took care of Mary and raised Jesus as his own, knowing He was the Messiah for all people. Set your heart this Christmas to follow Joseph’s example and live for Christ each day.  

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)